Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

What is PrEP?

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV-prevention approach where an HIV-negative person (someone who doesn’t have HIV) takes a pill everyday that contains two drugs, emtricitabine and tenofovir, to prevent them from contracting HIV. According to the Department of Health & Human Services, if taken as prescribed, PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection in people who engage in high risk behaviors by more than 90%. It is an effective HIV prevention tool and can be combined with condoms and other preventative methods to provide even greater protection than when used alone. PrEP is not for everyone and we recommend discussing whether or not it could be right for you with a medical provider. If you and your medical provider decide that it’s an appropriate option for you, ongoing monitoring of your health, including getting an HIV test every three months, will be part of the healthcare routine when taking PrEP.

Does PrEP protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

PrEP was developed to reduce the risk of HIV transmission; it does not protect against other STIs. It is highly recommended that a safer sex barrier method, like a condom or dental dam, is used while having sex to protect against the transmission of other STIs and to maximize your protection against HIV.

You can get safer sex products and lubricant for no cost from the Love Lab, a mobile cart located in the Health Education and Promotion office on the 3rd floor of the Student Health and Wellness Center during business hours. Follow the Love Lab on Facebook so you can get updates about its visits different parts of campus (it’s at the ARC most Thursday evenings from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.).

Are there side effects?

Many people who take PrEP experience no physical side effects, although some may experience abdominal upset, nausea, vomiting or dizziness during the first few weeks of taking it. Some adverse medical effects that people may experience include decreased bone mineral density, reduced kidney function and liver inflammation, although these conditions generally improve after stopping PrEP. To help reduce the risk of medical complications, it is recommended that you decrease alcohol intake. Patients are regularly monitored by their doctor to make sure their liver, kidneys and bones are healthy while taking PrEP.

How do I know if it is right for me?

PrEP is not for everyone. PrEP can be a good HIV prevention method for people who are HIV-negative but are at ongoing substantial risk of HIV infection; it is not intended for use by everyone who is sexually active. For people who need to prevent HIV after a single high-risk event of potential HIV exposure (i.e. sex without a condom, needle-sharing injection drug use or sexual assault), there is another option called post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP. PEP must begin within 72 hours of exposure. More info can be found at AIDS.gov.

Here are some activities that can put someone at very high risk for contracting HIV and therefore may make PrEP a consideration:

intravenous drug use

sex with someone who is HIV-positive

anal sex between two people with penises, particularly if you are frequently the receiving partner

vaginal or anal sex with a person who has had anal sex with someone who has a penis

It’s important to talk with your doctor about whether or not PrEP is right for you, but you can also take this online test to get a general recommendation. Please note that there is gendered language used on this website, but we believe the information may still be valuable to someone considering PrEP.

Can I use PrEP if I already have HIV?

PrEP cannot be used if you are already HIV-positive; it can only be used if you are HIV-negative and are trying to prevent yourself from contracting HIV. PrEP is not an adequate treatment for HIV. If you are HIV-positive, you should be taking HIV medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Where can I get PrEP?

If you think you may be at high risk for HIV and are interested in learning more about PrEP and its appropriateness for you, the first step is talking with your healthcare provider. If you have UC SHIP, make an appointment with your primary care doctor at the Student Health and Wellness Center. If you don’t have UC SHIP, you can either contact your primary care provider through your insurance or choose to see a medical provider at the Student Health and Wellness Center.

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The mission of Student Health and Counseling Services is to enhance the physical and mental health of students in order to help them achieve academic success, personal development and lifelong wellness by providing an integrated program of quality, accessible, cost sensitive and confidential healthcare services, tailored to their unique and diverse needs and to assist the University community, through consultation and education, to develop a healthy campus environment consistent with UC Davis "Principles of Community".